Chapter 42 Candidates for the Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Page 1/3

Since Luo Yunyao had already seen through Yue Liuxi, or at least a part of her true nature, Qin Jinghao, who had spent so much time with Yue Liuxi, naturally understood her far better than Luo Yunyao did. He also knew why Luo Yunyao spoke that way.

Although Qin Jinghao believed there was no need for Luo Yunyao to adopt the coquettish and domineering facade that Yue Liuxi wore to keep him, since he had already chosen Luo Yunyao, he was willing to devote his whole life to her. Likewise, he had claimed Luo Yunyao’s life—this one person, or rather, the soul of this person across lifetimes.

Luo Yunyao saw that Qin Jinghao said nothing, which she took as tacit approval. Regarding Qin Jinghao’s indulgence, she neither felt pleased nor displeased but continued the previous topic: “Since you have no troublesome entanglements to clarify, and I’m unaware of any myself, let’s start with the two people we know about for now.” Wearing an expression that said, “Although this assumption might be narrow, the reasoning makes sense, so let’s use this conclusion temporarily,” she went on, “As for Xiao Limo, I don’t think it’s him. Well… at least, even if he was fully aware this was a trap, he still half-stepped into it.” Only now did Luo Yunyao understand why Xiao Limo’s attitude toward Du Runsheng was less than friendly.

Xiao Limo could clearly see the logic behind the framing and false accusations; he ought to have been the clear-headed outsider of the scheme. Yet, he was caught in the trap, actually suspecting Luo Yunyao and Du Runsheng because of a few casual remarks made by others. In contrast, Luo Yunyao and Qin Jinghao, clearly players within the game, both then and now, were like spectators watching a farce unfold.

Those inside the game appeared outside it, leisurely observing the joke that was happening around them. Meanwhile, the supposedly clever outsider inadvertently entangled himself within the very game.

“So, in that sense, can we rule out Xiao Limo’s suspicion?” Luo Yunyao continued her train of thought. “As for your young duchess, if she truly knows about our relationship, then I have no doubt about her motives.” When Luo Yunyao first entered officialdom and came to hand over the duties of the Minister of War to Qin Jinghao, she had met Yue Liuxi and received her admonitions and warnings. Reflecting on that moment, Luo Yunyao had to admit that the duchess had an incredibly sharp eye—she had seen Luo Yunyao as a future rival even when she was nothing more than a budding flower.

Luo Yunyao sighed and spoke to Qin Jinghao in a tone as if discussing gossip: “Hey, did I ever tell you? Back when I had just been appointed Minister of War, you sent for me to your mansion to hand over the duties. That was actually the very first time I set foot in your general’s residence.” She hadn’t expected to become such a frequent visitor to this exquisitely crafted estate that had impressed her the moment she first saw it.

Still nostalgic, Luo Yunyao added, “At that time, I ran into Yue Liuxi, your young duchess, who even threatened me. Really, back then I wasn’t even a flower bud yet. That just goes to show, many of your admirers were actually encouraged by the duchess herself.” Back then, hidden among the slender bamboo and vines, Luo Yunyao thought getting involved with Yue Liuxi was a huge hassle and felt that meeting Qin Jinghao might not be a good thing. She silently vowed to keep her distance from him.

But in the end, she never truly stayed away. She couldn’t escape him, or rather, her own heart.

Qin Jinghao raised an eyebrow, his jade-like face rarely showing a hint of admiration mixed with contemplation. “I didn’t expect she really understands me.” Yet he clearly didn’t want to dwell on the subject and smoothly changed the topic: “So, the prime suspect remains Yue Liuxi?”

Seeing Qin Jinghao’s reaction, Luo Yunyao realized some matters between him and Yue Liuxi were beyond her reach to intervene in. After all, their meeting had come quite late. Suppressing a twinge of bitterness and regret, she answered calmly, “Well, according to my reasoning, that’s how it stands. Do you want to defend Lady Yue Liuxi’s honor?”

Qin Jinghao was silent for a moment before replying, “Xiao Limo.”

Luo Yunyao was stunned. Sitting up in his embrace, she asked in surprise, “Why do you say that?”

Qin Jinghao was not the type to make definitive judgments without sufficient evidence or reason—otherwise, he would not have made such a declaration.

Page 2/3

Luo Yunyao fixed her gaze on Qin Jinghao for a while.

He didn’t respond.

Their eyes met steadily. The moonlight and the scent of osmanthus quieted, waiting for their answers.

Someone like Xiao Limo, the future crown prince, was deep and reserved by nature; it was no surprise he could feign such an appearance. Moreover, if he was behind this, then his subsequent actions would not be unexpected.

Xiao Limo could use this incident to test whether Luo Yunyao and Du Runsheng truly had something going on. He could also use it to play the hero and save the damsel. More importantly, he could use it to sow discord between Qin Jinghao and Luo Yunyao.

Luo Yunyao and Qin Jinghao locked eyes. Hesitant, she finally asked, “So, does this mean His Highness the Crown Prince not only knows I’m a woman disguised as a man but also knows about our relationship?”

Qin Jinghao’s cold, jade-like gaze remained calm and silent.

But after saying this, Luo Yunyao suddenly understood: “Whether or not he knows about us, he has every reason to act this way.” Piecing the matter together, she rested her head on Qin Jinghao’s shoulder and spoke softly, her voice devoid of emotion—neither sorrow nor joy: “Now that the Prime Minister has fallen from power, the Crown Prince technically has no enemies. But he needs to shake off the emperor’s suspicion and surveillance, so drawing the emperor’s attention with this incident makes sense. With the Prime Minister gone, the court is split between the Crown Prince and his faction, and the neutral faction. The officials holding real military power are represented by you, General Qin, and the Minister of War, who is currently the emperor’s favorite. If Xiao Limo orchestrated this, it doesn’t have to involve romance. Driving a wedge between us first prevents us from allying as neutrals—he doesn’t even need to know if we have allied or not. If we have, our cracks can be exploited; if not, it’s better to be prepared.”

Taking a deep breath, Luo Yunyao resolved that if this was the case, she must keep as far away from Xiao Limo as possible in the future.

“Besides, this serves as a warning to others. Those who remain neutral only because of General Qin’s stance will surely feel the message.” She recalled Xiao Limo’s declaration that he wanted to dismantle her faction and sneered inwardly. Outwardly, he claimed to dissolve the faction, but behind the scenes, he used every means to win hearts and minds. “Those neutral officials were already shaken by the Prime Minister’s downfall, and now with you having problems, if the Crown Prince or Prime Minister Lu shows even a little favor, those wavering officials will find it hard to hold firm.”

Qin Jinghao listened quietly without objection, implicitly agreeing with Luo Yunyao’s reasoning.

Encouraged, Luo Yunyao pressed on without reserve: “Since the emperor fears you, naturally the future emperor fears you as well. And clearly, you cannot allow this future emperor to control you.” She tightened her hold on Qin Jinghao nervously but dared not let him sense any other emotions. After all, as a girlfriend worried her lover might be harmed by a rival, she knew her boyfriend’s mental burden would be heavy.

So Luo Yunyao expressed her concern teasingly: “General Qin, look at you—history is full of examples where outstanding generals outshine their lords. Why don’t you learn from them? Now see, the current emperor fears you, and so does the future emperor.” Laughing playfully, she continued, “General Qin, tell me, what do you plan to do?”

If this whole thing was Xiao Limo’s doing—

Page 3/3

—then Qin Jinghao’s situation was indeed precarious.

Though Luo Yunyao was deeply dissatisfied with the current emperor, who was constantly exploiting her beloved and had transformed the once vigorous young general into a detached, aloof gentleman, the emperor still feared Qin Jinghao’s military power and dared not truly harm him.

However, the future crown prince, not yet ascended, had already begun targeting Qin Jinghao. Once Xiao Limo takes the throne, Qin Jinghao’s predicament will be grim.

Though Qin Jinghao was strong-willed and unlikely to suffer greatly, Luo Yunyao wondered if someone as ethereal and detached as him would care about the troubles Xiao Limo stirred up. Knowing him well, she believed he would disdain Xiao Limo’s attempts to weaken him and might even hand over Xiao Limo’s schemes outright just to avoid unnecessary trouble.

The thought made Luo Yunyao angry—pitiful in his misfortune, frustrated at his inaction—and her voice rose: “Hmm? General Qin, what’s your plan?”

Seeing her lightly angry expression, Qin Jinghao carefully concealed his concern for her.

He knew well what Luo Yunyao worried about and had his own plans, but for now, he chose not to share them.

Avoiding the topic, Qin Jinghao returned to the matter at hand: “It’s just speculation. Yue Liuxi’s suspicion hasn’t been cleared.” Calmly, he threw out another question: “Regarding the hidden path Yun Yao mentioned earlier.”

Following his lead, Luo Yunyao said, “If it’s Lady Yue Liuxi, finding such a secluded path wouldn’t be difficult. After all, she’s a frequent visitor to your general’s residence. If it’s His Highness the Crown Prince, then the path must have been found by someone he sent.”

She arched her brow and asked Qin Jinghao, “General Qin, are you confident you can discover if anyone suspicious has been lurking around the residence recently?”

Qin Jinghao fell silent, pondering.

Page 3/3